Porsche history · 1976–1988
Porsche 924: History, Specs & What to Know
By CarWhere Research · Updated
The Porsche 924 was Porsche's first front-engine, water-cooled car, built from 1976 to 1988 with a rear-mounted transaxle gearbox. It replaced the 914 as the entry model. Porsche built more than 150,000, including the 924 Turbo, the 406-car 924 Carrera GT and the 2.5-liter 924 S.
Porsche Cars North America describes it as powered by an Audi engine and built by Audi, with the gearbox moved to the rear axle for better weight distribution — the transaxle layout that would define Porsche's front-engine cars until 1995.
It sold strongly: Porsche built its 100,000th 924 in 1982. A Turbo arrived in 1978 and the wide-fendered 924 Carrera GT in 1979; the 944 was developed from the 924 Carrera. From 1985 the 924 S used a 2.5-liter engine, and the last 924 left the line in August 1988.
924 history: what changed, year by year
- Nov. 1975 — Pre-series 924 presented in La Grande-Motte, France; series production starts in 1976.[1]
- 1976 — The 924 replaces the 914; Porsche begins hot-dip galvanizing car bodies the same year.[2]
- 1977 — A special edition limited to 3,000 cars, in Grand Prix White with Martini stripes.[1]
- 1978 — The 924 Turbo is introduced (it reaches the US for the 1980 model year).[1],[3]
- 1979 — 924 Carrera GT shown at the Frankfurt IAA; 406 built.[1]
- 1982 — The 100,000th 924 is built.[1]
- 1985 — 924 S with a 2.5-liter, 150 PS engine; raised to 160 PS in 1987.[1]
- Aug. 1988 — The last 924, a 924 S, is built; more than 150,000 in total.[1]
How many 924s were made?
| Model / variant | Years | Units | What the figure counts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 924 | to 1988 | ≈ 150,000[1] | total builtPorsche says 'more than 150,000'. |
| 924 | — | 406[1] | total built |
| 924 | 1977 | 3,000[1] | limited edition |
More model-by-model totals: Porsche production numbers.
924 variants and engines
| Variant | Years | Engine | Power | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 924 | 1977–1982 (US) | 2.0 L inline-4 | 110 hp (US)[3] | US launch MSRP $9,395 (1977). |
| 924 Turbo | 1980–1982 (US) | 2.0 L turbocharged inline-4 | 143 hp (US)[3] | |
| 924 Carrera GT | from 1979 | 2.0 L turbocharged inline-4 | —[1] | 406 built; flared fenders later used on the 944. |
| 924 S | 1985–1988 | 2.5 L inline-4 | 150 PS; 160 PS from 1987[1],[3] | US 147 hp, then 158 hp. |
Full trim-by-trim figures (US hp, torque, 0–60, weight, launch MSRP): Porsche 924 specs.
924 engine and drivetrain facts
What to check before you buy a 924
- Know which 924 you are looking at: 2.0-liter cars, Turbos and the 2.5-liter 924 S differ in parts, performance and value.
- Carrera GT claims are easy to fake with body kits; with 406 built, insist on factory documentation.[1]
- All 924s have galvanized bodies, but check for corrosion around old repairs and in drainage areas anyway.[2]
- 924 S cars use a toothed timing belt; ask for dated replacement invoices.
How to verify a 924's factory options
US 924s built from the 1981 model year carry 17-character VINs, which covers late 924s, 924 Turbos and the 1987–1988 924 S; for those, a build sheet can check for factory paint, interior and options. Earlier cars use short chassis numbers, and Porsche's Certificate of Authenticity is the record for them.
Earlier cars with short chassis numbers are covered by Porsche's own record instead — see the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity guide.
See a 924's factory options from its VIN.
For US-market cars with a 17-character VIN (1981 and later), the CarWhere build sheet lists the factory paint, interior and option codes recorded for that VIN. $9.99, and the free availability check shows whether build data exists before you pay.
Porsche 924 FAQ
How many Porsche 924s were made?
Porsche says more than 150,000 924s were built from 1976 to 1988, including 406 924 Carrera GTs and a 3,000-car 1977 special edition.
Does the Porsche 924 have an Audi engine?
The original 924 used an Audi-sourced 2.0-liter four-cylinder and was built by Audi, according to Porsche Cars North America. The later 924 S used a 2.5-liter engine.
What years was the Porsche 924 made?
Series production ran from 1976 to August 1988. In the US the 924 was sold from 1977 to 1982 and again as the 924 S for 1987 and 1988.
What is a 924 Carrera GT?
A limited, wide-fendered, turbocharged 924 shown at the 1979 Frankfurt show; Porsche built 406. Its styling led directly to the 944.
Related Porsche history
Specs, production and buying research
Sources
Production counts, power outputs and dates on this page come from the sources below. Where sources disagree, the page says so or uses Porsche's own figure.
- Time lapse: Porsche's transaxle models — Porsche Newsroom
- Porsche Historical Background: 1948-2025 — Porsche Cars North America (Porsche Newsroom)
- Porsche 924 specs (US-market figures, each sourced on the page) — CarWhere Research
Independent reference published by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. Porsche, 911, Carrera, Targa and Boxster are trademarks of their owner.